Mr. Adams died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, in a Tyler hospital. He was born Nov. 3, 1939, in Tyler to the late John Elmer Adams Sr. and Ala Rae Hardcastle Adams. For 40 years he operated Adams Dairy in Troup with his family. For the past 20 years he was a trucker and logger. He also operated Adams Meat Processing.

He was a devoted husband and a loving father and grandfather. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and enjoyed attending all their sporting events.

Mr. Adams was a member of Gospel Barn in Troup and had been a longtime member of Wright City Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen Martin Adams of Troup; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Howard Roland Adams Jr. of Tyler and Robert Don and Sharon Adams and Bill Wade and Michelle Adams, all of Troup; a daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn Jane and Randy Gouldthorpe of Tyler; a stepson, Larry Gayle Martin of Troup; a stepdaughter and stepson-in-law, Angie and Steven Oakes; a brother and sister-in-law, Johnny and Shirley Adams of Bullard; and a sister, Sue Goolsbee of Tyler; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many others who had known him as a "father figure."